Najib - Kelantan Menteri Besar candidate not yet decided

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the candidate for Kelantan Menteri Besar and State Barisan Nasional leadership has not been decided. "The state line-up to lead the Kelantan government will be decided when the time arrives," he told reporters after attending a meet-the-people and meet Kelantan professionals session here Friday. Najib was reponding to questions whether BN and Umno are willing to announce the state line-up as the candidate as menteri besar is important to ensure victory in general election. Clarifying his statement that International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed is his man, Najib said it is in the Umno context where Mustapha is Kelantan Umno liaison chairman. When told that a study found Mustapa to be a good candidate as Menteri Besar, he said: "Oh you want Tok Pa (Mustapa). We will listen to views from all parties. It is not difficult if Tok Pa is willing." On his visit here, Najib said although supporters are in high spirits, it will not be easy for BN to recapture Kelantan. "I am aware that it will not be an easy ride. We must continue to strive to do the necessary to guarantee victory." He said members must be loyal adding loyalty will only be tested after the candidates names are announced. "We must convince and remind those at divisional level to accept the leadership's decision so that they don't sabotage the party." On demands by an NGO that Kelantan PAS government delivers its 22 election promises, he said the people are smart and can make their own evaluation. Asked about Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir's claim that he bought votes, Najib said it is up to the party disciplinary committee to act. Kadir, a former Umno supreme council member and former cabinet minister claimed that he had given RM200-RM1,000 when campaigning for vote buying.